NZ Transport Agency Napier Regional Office

5 April 2012

NZTA crews working at full tilt to clear slip at Tutira

The NZ Transport Agency advises motorists that it is working at full tilt to get State Highway 2 between Napier and Wairoa reopened as soon as possible.

Acting regional state highways manager Gordon Hart says the NZTA has four crews working on the slip site, between Devil's Elbow and Lake Tutira, and contractors have been working throughout the night onsite.

Mr Hart says crews are working to clear one large slip at Devil’s Elbow, and a number of smaller slips leading up towards Lake Tutira.

Mr Hart says the NZTA hopes to have the slips cleared by early afternoon, although that is dependent on how conditions develop.

"We appreciate this closure is hugely frustrating for motorists and truckies who need to get through, and we're throwing everything at it. We've got more manpower and equipment working at this location than ever before, and we're committed to getting this slip safely cleared and reopened in the next few hours"

Mr Hart says that while weather was forecast to clear, the NZTA and its contractors were working at full capacity to ensure that highways around Hawke's Bay and Gisborne are safe and secure for the Easter holidays.

"We want people to have as much certainty around their Easter travel plans as possible, and our crews are busy throughout the state highway network to keep our highways safe and secure for families heading out for their Easter holidays.”

Mr Hart says the SH2 Waioeka Gorge temporary diversion remains open, and an update on its status over the Easter break will be provided later today.

Mr Hart says SH2 at Kotemaori is open to a single lane, and while there is some surface flooding and minor slips in the Whareratas, the NZTA has drainage pumps and crews operating to ensure the road remains open.

Mr Hart thanks motorists for their patience and understanding, and urges people to drive to the conditions and with great care.

ENDS

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